I've been building my first large cabinet project. It's Timtool's sysbench.
Here's the thing. I have been very, very careful. For example, I have been using story sticks for everything, rather than merely measuring. Checking with squares.
Using the parallel guides, I check and recheck my marks.
And yet, this damn thing is off.
When I cut the panels, I lined them all up, and they were perfectly even. Flush, all the way around. So then I assembled them using glue and screws, and story sticks to keep the spacing even....and somewhere along the line, the carcass became off.
(I couldn't think about how to keep everything square in three dimensions, as I built it. Using glue, as I did, I had to move fairly quickly. But because the panels were even, I felt like I was safe to join them.
Then, I made the faceframes.....and it's perfect. But doesn't line up with the carcass.
If I were moving quickly, not showing this kind of care, I would understand it.
But to be so careful, and still be off, is very demoralizing.
One thing I noticed: while ripping some strips for the faceframes...the edges weren't vertical. So I pulled out the sqaure, and checked the TS 55 blade. Perfect. 90°
I then checked my cheapish miter saw. also perfect (in both planes).
What I think was happening. I was using parallel guides with a homemade spacer. The spacer was 1/2"; the stock 3/4. Because the guide was resting on the stock, mostly, I didn't think about it, but I think the guiderail may have deflected from time to time, given the thinner spacer.
Alternatively, in my small workshop, the hose from the Midi would sometimes get in the way, and I was not always aware where the hose was exiting the saw. It may have been down from time to time, which perhaps lifting the saw slightly off the rail. I'm definitely learning why everyone rigs up those hose lift systems.
No smoking gun, but I'm sort of dumbfounded as to the sources of error.
I think part of this is that it's an 1800 MM long cabinet, with many parts, and the errors can compound over the length of the project.
Or maybe I just suck.
On the positive side of things, it's mostly been fun.
Anybody who has the woodworking equivalent of "it gets better," I'm all ears to.
Or, what's the most common mistake you used to make (that I may be missing?)
Thanks
Here's the thing. I have been very, very careful. For example, I have been using story sticks for everything, rather than merely measuring. Checking with squares.
Using the parallel guides, I check and recheck my marks.
And yet, this damn thing is off.
When I cut the panels, I lined them all up, and they were perfectly even. Flush, all the way around. So then I assembled them using glue and screws, and story sticks to keep the spacing even....and somewhere along the line, the carcass became off.
(I couldn't think about how to keep everything square in three dimensions, as I built it. Using glue, as I did, I had to move fairly quickly. But because the panels were even, I felt like I was safe to join them.
Then, I made the faceframes.....and it's perfect. But doesn't line up with the carcass.
If I were moving quickly, not showing this kind of care, I would understand it.
But to be so careful, and still be off, is very demoralizing.
One thing I noticed: while ripping some strips for the faceframes...the edges weren't vertical. So I pulled out the sqaure, and checked the TS 55 blade. Perfect. 90°
I then checked my cheapish miter saw. also perfect (in both planes).
What I think was happening. I was using parallel guides with a homemade spacer. The spacer was 1/2"; the stock 3/4. Because the guide was resting on the stock, mostly, I didn't think about it, but I think the guiderail may have deflected from time to time, given the thinner spacer.
Alternatively, in my small workshop, the hose from the Midi would sometimes get in the way, and I was not always aware where the hose was exiting the saw. It may have been down from time to time, which perhaps lifting the saw slightly off the rail. I'm definitely learning why everyone rigs up those hose lift systems.
No smoking gun, but I'm sort of dumbfounded as to the sources of error.
I think part of this is that it's an 1800 MM long cabinet, with many parts, and the errors can compound over the length of the project.
Or maybe I just suck.
On the positive side of things, it's mostly been fun.
Anybody who has the woodworking equivalent of "it gets better," I'm all ears to.
Or, what's the most common mistake you used to make (that I may be missing?)
Thanks
